Predictors of Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Adverse Neonatal Outcomes in Eastern Uganda: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy has been linked to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, but evidence from Uganda is limited. We estimated the prevalence of maternal vitamin D deficiency at delivery, identified associated factors, and assessed immediate neonatal outcomes. Methods We conducted a hospital‐based cross‐sectional study among 315 postpartum women at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (October 2024–January 2025). Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D was measured; deficiency was defined as < 20 ng/mL. Predictors were assessed using logistic regression. Neonatal outcomes were extracted from delivery records. Results Vitamin D deficiency was present in 77.8% (245/315) of participants; mean 25(OH)D was 18.3 (SD 7.5) ng/mL. Urban residence, low educational attainment, higher BMI, fewer antenatal visits, and lack of regular exercise were independently associated with deficiency. Low 5‐min Apgar score was more frequent among neonates of deficient mothers. Conclusions Maternal vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent and associated with modifiable factors. Maternal deficiency was associated with poorer immediate neonatal indicators at birth; however, neonatal vitamin D levels were not measured and causality cannot be inferred.